Accuracy of Spiral CT Scan in Detection of Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the role of spiral CT Angiography in suspected cases of acute Pulmonary Embolism at duration (Agusust –November 2011) The study was conducted at EL-Nilien center , Royal care center and Faisal center where there were enough cases to study and the availability of required machine and materials to perform proper examination . Fifty patients of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) of different ages and genders underwent spiral CT angiography from the level of arch of aorta to the dome of diaphragm . Scanning was done using Semince(4 multi slice) and Toshiba (64 multi slice ) machines with collimation of 1-2mm and an interval of 2mm at 60-160 mA and 120-135kV 100ml of contrast was injected at a flow rate of 3-4 ml sec with a scan delay of 12-16 second . Spiral CTA was found to be an effective method for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism . Out of 50 patient 38 (76%) were positively identified with pulmonary embolism , more over females were most likely presented with PE . Additionally during the study , it was noted that the Rt pulmonary artery was affected more than the Lt pulmonary artery . The research confirmed that, the spiral CT scanner more acurat modality in detection of pulmonary embolism , it is non –invasive procedure , low cost , and has a high specificity , for that preferred it used as the first line of investigations in diagnosing of Pulmonary embolism .